As I write this post it has been exactly a week since we lost David Bowie and just a few days since AlanRickman took his acting genius to the big stage in the sky. These are sad days my friends but I refuse to let that stop me from putting a little nostalgia into my playlists to show these amazing artists the respect they are due.

So today I have just one song featuring one of my faves by Bowie and the incomparable Freddie Mercury (who should also still be with us, dammit!)

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Best Look Lately:Dear Rouge

If you are looking for a fun, upbeat song to begin your workout—this one by Dear Rouge (a married duo from Alberta) will do very nicely.

Ch-Check it Out: Beasite Boys

Adam MCA Yauch is gone too! (Life is most unfair, is it not?)

Pumped Up Kicks:Foster the People

Here we have another peppy tune that people always seem to enjoy when I play it in class.

Synthetica:Metric

I am an American on a mission to get this Canadian band the recognition they deserve. Buy their music, people!

Ghosts:Ladytron

If you are not familiar with Ladytron they are a rock, new wave, synth, techno, alternative band from Liverpool that does tons of remixes for big stars all the time. Listen to them!

The Pit:Silversun Pickups

I love this band for their hard charging music that is perfect for doing fast intervals and sprints.

Get the Party Started:P!nk

This song has that “everyone in the room is immediately on board” kind of quality to it. In other words—it is always a winner.

Tell Me Baby:Red Hot Chili Pepper

I use this song for high intensity drills (HIIT) because the Peppers music is perfect for that sort of thing,

Under Pressure: Queen & David Bowie

They should BOTH still be with us, dammit!

Family Affair:Mary J. Blige

This number by Mary J. Blige is another “room winner” that gets everyone in a good mood.

Stronger:Kanye West

I like to finish with a big climb and Kanye, though just a tad egotistical, knows how to create a beat that will keep you motivated.

I and Love and You:The Avett Brothers

For the cool down music The Avett Brothers always do nicely. Why they didn’t just name this one “Brooklyn Take Me In” confounds me but “I and Love and You” is kind of memorable. I guess…

Is it cold enough for you? (West Coast peeps can just shut their collective pie holes, by the way. We get it—it’s nice there. Now stop bragging about it on Facebook!)

Anyhoo I finally got around to creating a new playlist and it received kudos over the weekend by my picky students. It’s a mixture of old & new tunes and I hope you all enjoy it. (Now enough of the Polar Vortex crap!)

Crystal Vases:The Last Royals

I love this song to use as a warm-up as it is fun and poppy sounding. However—try tot to focus on the lyrics as they are rather, um, depressing.

Hell:Tegan and Sara

My fondness for Canadians continues with this duo who write some really catchy pop-rock tunes.

Get the Party Started:P!nk

If you need a go-to that is guaranteed to get the whole room into a groove—try this one from P!nk. Cuz it rules!

World Turning: Fleetwood Mac

I love Lindsey Buckingham and this one is one of my all-time favorites from his early days in Fleetwood Mac.

Midnight City: M83

This is one of those slow, climb-type of songs that reminds me of 80s New Wave music.

Hollaback Girl:Gwen Stefani

Personally, I prefer the version where she curses…B A N A N A S! (Don’t worry, this video is clean.)

I Don’t Feel Ike Dancing: Scissor Sisters

If there is a happier sounding song in the world—I have yet to find it.

Brain Stew: Green Day

Give me some crunchy-sounding guitars just about any day of the week, thankyouverymuch.

Holding on for Life: Broken Bells

The first time I heard this song I was convinced it was Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon singing as the Bee Gees. Love it though I know nothing about this band.

Machinehead: Bush

Are they names after the President(s?) Does anyone know the answer to that?

Starships:Nicki Minaj

Once again—I prefer the dirty version of this tune. (NSFW! Really!)

Stars:Moby

For some reason Moby seems to write the perfect songs to use for “climbs.”

Changes:David Bowie

“Time may change me, but I can’t change time.”

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

It might seem by the title of this week’s playlist that I was celebrating the arrival of 2014 and therefore it is special for the New Year’s holiday. No! The first track (one of U2’s best IMHO) just happens to be an excellent song to start off a class. The beat is strong, consistent and helps everyone get into the mood to ride. Therefore–you can use this playlist any time of year for a kick ass workout.

New Year’s Day:U2

Great warm-up song that can be played any time of year. Really!

Welcome to Paradise:Green Day

I always like to think of this song as THE perfect second tune to play in a spin class as it ramps up the energy and gets everyone in a good mood.

Gettin’ Jiggy With It:Will Smith

Is there anyone more charming and likable than Will Smith?

But if You Close Your Eyes: Pompeii

This could be my new favorite band as they write some of the best songs for working out and getting motivated to move.

No More Drama: Mary J. Blige

I have talked about this tune before but it truly is fantastic for hills and climbs.

Modern Love:David Bowie

I like to do strength intervals here with 15-seconds of hard work and 30-second rests in between.

Feeling Good: The Sheepdogs

This is another song I have talked about before but it is just too damn catchy for words!

Times Like These: Foo Fighters

One of my students recently told me “every time I hear the Foo Fighters– I feel like doing sprints.” The Foos know how to get people excited!

White Rabbit: Jefferson Airplane

“Remember what the door mouse said …feed your head!”

The Hardest Button to Push: The White Stripes

Bump, bump, bump—I love the beat of this song.

Ghosts:Ladytron

My students climb to this with gradually increasing resistance with the last minute being the toughest part. I tell them to work at their top level until they hear the gong. If you listen to this song you will know what I mean.

The Impression I Get:The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

I am not sure what a “bosstone” is but I do love this 90s tune.

That’s the Way:Led Zeppelin

Throwing in a little Zep gives me the happies.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.